ALBANY ––A Guilderland man appearing in Albany County Court Monday paid $1,500 to have his business associate kidnapped for $400,000 ransom in order to settle a financial dispute between the two, reported Albany County District Attorney David Soares.

NEW SCOTLAND –– It’s the morning after some past Voorheesville Memorial Day parade and celebration. It’s just after 6 a.m. and, despite being up late the night before, Bill Hotaling, along with the mayor and trustees, is picking up garbage along Main Street.

NEW SCOTLAND –– The fingertips of visitors at the New Scotland Historical Association Museum were able to trace their family lines back to veterans of the Civil War this past Sunday.

NEW SCOTLAND –– Starting April 16, motorists traveling along Route 85 have been taking a detour as the state’s Department of Transportation replaces a water drainage culvert beneath the road, near the intersection of Bullock Road.

NEW SCOTLAND –– After two years and two failed attempts, the town board is preparing to vote again on a local law limiting the size of large-scale commercial development in the area of routes 85 and 85A, following a public hearing on the issue scheduled for May.

NEW SCOTLAND –– The town board is considering appointing a new highway superintendent after Darrell Duncan accepted a job as head of Public Works in early March.

Darrell Duncan served the New Scotland Town Highway Department for the last 18 years.

VOORHEESVILLE –– A Voorheesville Elementary School teacher arrested in December for biting one of his fifth-grade students is having his case dismissed after the alleged victims’ parents told officials they wanted the charges dropped, reported his attorney, James Knox.

VOORHESVILLE –– A Voorheesville handyman accused of stealing items from his clients’ homes did so while illegally collecting welfare funds by not reporting his jobs, reported the Albany County sheriff.

NEW SCOTLAND –– The town board unanimously voted to dismiss planning board member Elizabeth Stewart last week, citing her lack of attendance at meetings.